His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

18:49

His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

18:49

His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

bitter laugh, shaking

"Of course she did.

Sienna had brought me flowers when I was

and the roses had

skin

scratching. Nathan hadn't believed me back then,

some new cosmetic that

He had sided

always.

as he realized

"I-I didn't know,"

you didn't." My voice was

listened. You always believed whatever Sienna told you. You've never known me,

18:49

His Pleas, But

37

29

really,"

the boNqNet, his knuckles white. "I'm sorry,

am. I didn't

my voice

of my house,

call the police again."

eyes widened,

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

stood there for a moment longer, as

I would change my mind. But

didn't

the bouquet of

his hand. I watched

the steps,

was gone, I

18:49

Pleas, By Ow SONS IN

99

against it, the weight of

The house was a mess, toys scattered

broken, the remnants of

lingering in

in a long time, I felt nothing. No

Just indifference.

stood there, staring at Nathan as he lingered in my yard, looking lost, broken, and bleeding. The sight of him disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like

everything that had

of all things. He still didn't get

never had.

I

in my chest as I looked

told him I